Motion picture film



Aug. 11, 1931. P. f-AVOQR homo" PICTURE FILII Filed March 1, 1928 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Auz'. 11, 1931.

P. FAVOUR IOTION PICTURE FILM Filed March 1, 1928 2 ShEeiS-Sheet 2@fxXiM attozmqo Patented Aug. 11, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT? o-FF cEPAUL ravona, or nocnas'rna, NEW Yonx, ASSIGNOR 'ro sas'rium xonax courm,

or nocnnsma, new YORK, A coarorwrron. or NEW YORK no'rron rlc'ruan muApplication filed larch 1,

This invention relates to cinematography and more articularly to anarticle and method use ul in giving fade in and iris effects inprojecting consecutive scenes originally taken under uniform exposure,conditions.

While of general application, my invention is of particular use in theediting and splicing of amateur motion picture films of small dimension,where there is usually only a single print and elaborate taking andprinting methods are'not warranted; and where the successive scenes arefrequently of varying quality and subject matter.

'When a reel of such film has been assembled it is possible, by myinvention, to determine from the complete projected film at what pointsthe features mentioned would be most desirable, and to apply to the filmas an otherwise completed film, or photoplay, a layer overlapping thejunction of successive scenes and varying in its density and in iriseffect, so as to change the character of the transition from one sceneto the 25 next.

The overlapping layer may be applied b any known or deslred method. Wnle pre erably it is of the transfer or decalcomania type, it may beapplied by stenciling, by

a printing process, by cementin va separate strip or other equivalentmetho Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings whereinthe same reference characters denote the same parts throughout, and inwhich Fig. 1- is a face view of a printed film as first assembled;

Figs. 2 and 3 are edge views of different forms ofsuch a film, andembody my invention;

Fig. 4 is a face view of a film embodying the preferred form of myinvention;

Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are face views of films embodying modifications of myinvention;

Fig. 8 shows a strip carrying a transfer layer to be applied to a'finished film;

Fig. 9 shows alayen being transferred fromits carrier to the film;

Fig. 10 shows a layer being applied from a printing roll; and

1928. Serial No. 858,289.-

. Fig. 11 is a face view of a film embodyinglanother modification.

' y invention is preferably applied to a complete and assembled strip offilm contalning consecutive series of images. Such a film F is shown inFig. 1, and has the usual edge perforations 1, and in the form shown apicture area 2 for each pair of perforations. There are two seriesofpicture or image areas, A and B, each series con-. stituting a sceneand the several frames of each series being of substantiall uniformdensity and contrast. The two'su jects may be, however, very differentso that there is an abrupt change at their junction C which is notpleasing when projected.

In such cases as this a' gradual transition such as a fade in or irisingis very desirable, and I obtain such an efi'ect by applying a layer 3preferably across the junction and extending over a continuous series ofpicture frames on each side of the junction. This layer is shown in edgeview in Fig. 2, where the two series A and B are indicated as being ontwo ieces of film, the

"junction C being in the orm of a splice.

In the form shown in Fig. 3, the-two picture series are on the samestrip of film, the junction C being a merely indicated. In each case the-film comprises a light transmitting support 40f a composition includingcellulose acetate, cellulose nitrate or other cellulosic compound, and aphotographic emulsion layer 5 containing the images; The layer 3 may bea pliedeither on the emulsion surface, as in 1g.2, or on the supportsurface, as in Fig. 3.

This applied layer is of varying light transmisslon from frame to frame,and in the preferred form, shown in Fig. 4,'this consists of a series oftransparent areas 6 of the same" shape, here shown as circular,surrounded by light retarding borders 7 covering the rest of eachpicture area, the areas 6 being large at the ends of the applied stripand becoming gradually smaller toward the junction where they mayentirely disappear, and the density of the border areas gradually growsgreater toward the junction where it 'may be opaque. This opaquethroughout.

In each of the forms it is to be noted that 'the total lighttransmission of successive picture frames varies uniformly and increasesfrom the ends to the center of the applied layer. The layer may extendover the entire width of the film as in Fig. 11, or over the picturearea only as in the other figures.

Thelayer may extend over the end ortion of one series only as in Fig. 7,w ere the layer 3" increases in density toward the junction C and stopsthere.

The form of the applied layer may var widely. Preferably there will besuppli as articles of manufacture and sale, strips of a support 10 suchas paper having on one surface an easily stripped layer 3. The paperstrip may have perforations 11 corresponding to perforations 1 andconstituting a means for centering the areas 6 with the picture frames.The paper strips are wider than the transfer strip, and will be laidupon the film strip with the perforations in registry. The paper stripwith the trans fer material will be submitted to such treatment as maybe necessary to cause the transfer material to remain on the film andthe paper to be stripped therefrom. If desired the perforations may beregistered by means of projections 12 carried by support 13.

One embodiment is a photographic stripping film of known type in whichthe transfer layer is of gelatine or collodion and carries aphotographieally formed image. These are well known in the art, typicalexamples being disclosed for use in motion picture color processes inthe British patent to Kent 20,566 of 1912.

The transfer layer may be of the type commonly used for decalcomania.

Still another method that is particularly useful is by dye transfer froma dye absorbent layer such as a gelatine relief image carried by a stripof the motion picture film type. This method of tmnsfe r is well knownin color photography. I purpose supplying a stencil or master memberhaving the desired design and capable of repeated use. One advantage ofthis form is that differentcolors or tints may readily be used, and thisform is particularly useful where complete opacity is not desired.

The applied layer. may also be of ink, pigment, or dye applied b aprinting roller of types well known in t e printing art.

In Fi 10 such a roller 20 is shown on a pa 21, from which it may bedrawn by handle 25 across the film F 1 'ng on a support 22. The rollerwill be 0 such size that the design to be applied may be formed aroundits periphery. he roller ma have a rubber periphery for transferring ythe offset process an ink impression'from inked designs on the pad; orit may have relief or intaglio images that are inked or dyed by the pa II consider as included in my invention all other modifications andequivalents as'may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure 'by Letters Patent is,-

1. A motion picture film bearing two consecutive series of imagecontaining areas, the density of the images of each one of said seriesbeing substantiall uniform, and an applied light retarding ayeroverlying the junction of said two series and a continuous portion ofeach of said series adjacent the unction, said layer varying in thetotal hght transmission of areas corres nding to the image areas, and inthe vicinity of said junction being opaque overits full width.

2. A motion picture film having thereon two consecutive series of areasoontaimn' 5 photographic images, the density of sai images 0 each ofsaid series be' substantially uniform and a mechanica applied layeroverlyin a portion of eac 0 said series next their junction point, saidlayer va 'ng in its total light transmission along its ength.

3. A motion picture film having thereon two consechlutive series ifaseas contaimf' photora 'cim e ensityo sai imageg of each of ssd seriesbe' substantially uniform, and amechanic y layer overlyin a portionofreac of said series next their junction point, said layer varying in.its total light transmission along its length, and being substantiallyopaque in theyicinity of said junction point and increasing in its lighttransmission gradually in both directions from said vicinity.

4. A motion picture film having thereon two conselputive selrl'ies ofpictulil'g areas conftaining p otograp ic im t nsi o the ima of each ofsai series be filibstantial y uniform and a mechanica y applied lightretarding layer overlying a portion of each of said series next theirunction point, said layer having opposite successive picture areas lighttransmitting spaces the size of said spaces varying from area to area.

applied 6. A motion picture film having thereon a two eonsecu h tiveselrliles of pictutfle areas1e tainingpotograp'c' e nsi o the of each ofseries be sub- 5 uniforlm anld a mechlani -y app' treta eroverymg'ape]:- tion of each of next their unction point, said layer havingopposite suve picture areas light transmitting spaces the 10 size ofsaid spaces varying from area to an;i llmd being greatest at the ends ofthe appli ayer.

6; A photogra hic film'strip on two longitudinally extending phph1crecords and an applied light reta' i; layer overl a continuous. p01-tion of at least one, 0 said adjacent its junction with the nextsaidjlayer varying longitudinally in its light. transmissionandhavingltsgr'e'atestretarding efiect at the junction point where it issubstantiall opaque.

7.Ap otographicfilmstrip two ed' longitu y p graphic records and anapplied-lig t retardmg layer overlying the junction of said records anda portion of each record adiaeent said 'unction said layer having itsgreatest tretardingeflectat Y t'an gradually in one away from saidpoint.

Signed at Rochester, NewYork this 25th day of February, 1928. v

PAUL FAVOUR.

